“I noticed Paolo was lightly breathing,” Luca replied, “I rushed him to the hospital. He lived, but I knew he couldn’t stay with us.”
Turning back around, “How could you keep that from me?”
“The only people who know are me, your father, and Luca. It was safest that way,” my mother replied.
“So Alfie is really... Paolo? Marco’s son? My nephew?”
“Shh,” my mother whispered as though someone would hear.
“His name. He was in foster care. He followed Luca from California to Chicago.” I was thinking out loud.
Luca placed his hands in his pockets, and the look on his face was full of emotion. He never let his guard down; it was a surprise to see. Or maybe he just wanted me to be sympathetic to the situation.
“B, we had to play it off.” Luca breathed deeply, “He was five years old, and we needed him to forget us. I made sure he was put in a foster home with good people with nice monthly checks to cover all his living costs.”
I laugh mockingly, “Of course. Why else would you take an orphan under your wing? It makes sense.”
“Do you understand now?” my mother asked hopefully.
“I understand,” I place my hands on my hips, “But it doesn’t change my mind. You wanted me to partake in a plan I had no idea was going on.”
“Bethany,” Luca was done being emotional, “If it’s known that he’s alive, he will become a target.”
“I don’t care,” I state.
“You should,” Luca shot back, annoyed.
“You should have thought of that before having Aria here,” I replied.
“Aria?” our mother questioned.
“Oh, you haven’t heard?” I said maliciously. “Your son here is entertaining a Cassariano in this city, at his office and home.”
The look of shock on her face was priceless, while my brother looked about ready to kill me.
“Luca,” my mother was on her feet facing him, “Is this true?”
“Aria is working on the development project,” Luca replied. “Bethany, don’t try to deviate from the conversation.”
“I’m not marrying anyone!”
Luca started walking off down the hall. “Go find yourself a dress. The wedding is in two days at the cathedral.”
Chapter 22
“You can’t change his mind?” I plead with Emilio. “You did it last time.”
He shook his head and said, “I had good reason last time. Luca’s mind is set on this.”
Wiping the tears falling down my face, I knew why Luca was dead set on this, but I couldn’t tell him.
“I will never forgive him for this.”
Holding my chin up with the knuckle of his pointer finger, I said, “You should trust him. Whatever his reasoning, you should know he will ensure everything works out for the best by now.”
“Not this time.” I sniffled. “Who will come to save me when I’m all the way out in Nevada? Gabe isn’t afraid to hit a woman.”
A tear drops down my cheek, and Emilio wipes it away. “I can tell you one thing, sweetheart. You’re not going to Nevada.”
